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my alignment specs

7.1K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  Seijirou  
#1 ·
Hi gang. I have a question for those of you that know alignment specs.
I got my front end aligned today. Toe in was adjusted. My question is, on the sheet I was given every thing looks ok except the caster.
Front left: -1.7 degrees
Front right: 0.1 degrees
Why is there such a big difference between the left and right?
What is SAI?
Here is a pic of the sheet that they gave me at the alignment shop.
Image

Thanks
Bill
 
#3 ·
according to those readings it should pull if it does'nt it wont hurt your tires so do'nt worry about it. as far as why so much difference could be lot of reasons most likly it is a bent or damaged radius arm or ttb. could also be the bushings in the afore mentioned parts.
 
#5 ·
gadawgz71, it was a local shop. I called 6 different alignment shops and the one I took it to was the only one in the area that would align a lifted truck. It is a tire place that has a computerized alignment machine.
Bill
 
#7 ·
From what I read on this forum, it was expensive for what they actually did.
It cost me $50.
I'm going to call some other places in the next week or so to see if I can find another place that will align a lifted truck. Other places i did call either told me that their insurance won't let them do lifted trucks or that they don't have the equipment to do ttb suspension. I think it bogus for both reasons.
Bill
 
#8 · (Edited)
My question is, on the sheet I was given every thing looks ok except the caster.
Front left: -1.7 degrees
Front right: 0.1 degrees
Why is there such a big difference between the left and right?
It's done to try to make up for the crown in the road. Basically it is done to try and make the steering pull to the left slightly. This is done because 75% of all roads are higher in the center than on the edge. That means that if the caster was identical on both sides the truck would pull to the right on 75% of all roads.

With it set this way it is "suppose" to not pull on 75% of roads, but will pull to the left on the other 25%.

What is SAI?l
familycar.com said:
Steering Axis Inclination (SAI)

Image

SAI is the measurement in degrees of the steering pivot line when viewed from the front of the vehicle. This angle, when added to the camber to form the included angle (see below) causes the vehicle to lift slightly when you turn the wheel away from a straight ahead position. This action uses the weight of the vehicle to cause the steering wheel to return to the center when you let go of it after making a turn. Because of this, if the SAI is different from side to side, it will cause a pull at very slow speeds. Most alignment machines have a way to measure SAI; however it is not separately adjustable. The most likely cause for SAI being out is bent parts which must be replaced to correct the condition. SAI is also referred to as KPI (King Pin Inclination) on trucks and old cars with king pins instead of ball joints.​
http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm